Whitehall Township on Friday took ownership of the 12-acre Prydun farm in Hokendauqua.

During a $310,000 property settlement conference held at the township municipal building, Prydun family members and township officials signed documents that officially put the buildings and land in the hands of the township.

The land, situated near the Ironton Rail-Trail and Hokendauqua pool, will now remain in a passive state as open space the public can enjoy into the future.

Funding for the Prydun tract was provided by grants from Lehigh County Green Futures and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

"One out building will be demolished since the roof is ready to collapse," Hozza said. Other structures may remain, though and a two-seater outhouse will be razed.

The 3,000-square-foot, two-story white residence will remain. Preferring to name the structure "Whitehall House," Hozza said the building could be used for meetings and events.

In the interim, the property will bear signs reading "no trespassing."

Keeping the tract in its natural state is important to the township, Hozza said. When township officials walked the site last week, they saw a blue heron.